GRAND RAPIDS — The U.S. Senate drastically cut funding for the Great Lakes Legacy Act when it passed its version of the budget Friday, but it will be enough to continue cleaning toxic hot spots in the region, said U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids.

U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids

Ehlers, whose support was critical to passing the original act in 2002, had hoped the Senate would approve the same $150 million funding level approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 19.

Instead, the Senate approved $54 million a year for two years, according to U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, a co-chairman of the Great Lakes Task Force.

Ehlers said he expects Congress will accept the lower amount without an attempt at compromise.

"We'll have to accept that," he said. "It's more than what we've been getting the last several years. Next year, we'll start working on a different bill with additional funding."